July 26th 2024.
Are you a gin drinker looking for new and exciting ways to enjoy your favorite spirit? Look no further, because Metro's drinks editor, Rob Buckhaven, has just the trend for you. As a gin lover myself, I know that the idea of sipping gin neat can be a bit off-putting. I mean, who wants to feel that dry, boozy, bitter, and spicy liquid blazing down their throat? It definitely wasn't something I was eager to try anytime soon.
But then I discovered the golden gin category, and my taste buds were sent into a frenzy. Brands like Palmaráe and Renais offer super luxe gins with a golden hue that are so smooth, they can be enjoyed straight up. I had so many questions - how had I not heard of this before, and where does the golden color and unique flavor come from?
Surprisingly, there hasn't been much hype around golden gin, also known as "yellow gin" (although that name doesn't sound quite as appealing). It's almost as elusive as a hologram of a photograph of an impressionist painting. It's like trying to punch smoke or search for gold - not easy to find.
Now, you may be thinking of gold leaf floating in a bottle of gin, but let me clarify that there is no actual gold inside. The golden hue comes from aging the gin in barrels like whiskey or cognac, or infusing it with golden pigmented botanicals such as saffron, turmeric, dates, oranges, and grapes.
If you're interested in trying out some golden sipping gins, here are a few recommendations:
Palmaráe Golden Gin Premier Cru is a stunning choice with its dazzling packaging and copper pot distillation in France. Inspired by Morocco, the gin contains botanicals like medjool dates, mandarin, orange blossom, Moroccan mint, and fleur de sel from Marrakech, creating a taste that is opulent, blossomy, and citrussy.
Renais Small Batch Gin, created by celebrity siblings Alex and Emma Watson, is made from grapes grown on their father's vineyard in Chablis. The skins of the Chardonnay grapes are repurposed to produce a smooth and fruity grape spirit, giving the gin its golden glow. With the addition of acacia honey, Renais is one of the smoothest gins on the market.
Ungava Canadian Premium Gin has a funky bottle that resembles a bottle of Chanel No.5. This off-the-wall gin from the Ungava Peninsula in Canada uses Arctic botanicals like the orange-colored, raspberry-like cloudberry to create a bright and citrussy flavor profile with hints of blossoms and spice.
57° SKYE Earth + Sea Cask Finished Gin from the Isle of Skye is aged in French oak barrels previously used for the fortified aperitif liqueur, Banyuls. This process imparts rich, fruity, and salted caramel-like flavors, along with a lemon-gold color for a unique sipping experience. And for a little surprise, there's a hint of cinnamon on the finish that will give you a warm tingle.
But not all sipping gins are golden - here are two clear-colored gins that are perfect for sipping straight up:
Solaro Capri Gin is like the gin world's version of La Mer face cream, with a beautiful ceramic bottle that takes local artisans a week to hand-craft. Distilled on the island of Capri, this gin is named after the highest mountain on the island and boasts flavors of Amalfi lemon peel, sea mist, and minty Sorrento myrtle.
Jaisalmer Gold Indian Craft Gin takes the gold gin trend to a whole new level. It is filtered through a gold silk filament, which is said to enrich the gin with gold ions. The gin also contains saffron, known as "red gold" and more expensive than actual gold by weight. With 18 botanicals, including Nagpur orange zest, Gandhraj lemon zest, and saffron, this gin offers a citrussy and gently spicy sip.
So there you have it, a variety of golden and clear sipping gins to try out. Whether you're a purist looking for a new experience or simply a gin lover seeking something different, these gins are sure to impress. Don't just take my word for it, give them a try and see for yourself. Cheers!
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